Apparatus for measuring time intervals



Nov. 10, 1931. .1. w. LIVINGSTON 1,831,453

APPARATUS FOR MEASURING TIME INTERVALS Filed July 29, 1930 2 sheets-sheet 1 myamqR': J7 W. L1 Vlngstan,

Nov. 10, 1931.

J. W. LIVINGSTON APPARATUS FOR MEASURING TIME INTERVALS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. QT 14 A1 11117; ton

Patented Nov. 10, 1931f JO uvn res'ron, WILKINSBUBG, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOB '10 m mom l: SIGNAL COII'AHY, OF SWISSVALE, PENNSYLVANIA, A (1 3330 no: or rmmvnm mm'rus FOB msuame 'rnm 'mmvns I Application fled Jul as, 19cc. Serial in. mm.

My invention relates apparatus for measuring time intervals, and has for an object the provision of, novel and improved means for measur' and recording the interval of time between e beginning and the end of an event or the interval between consecutive events.

I will describe one form of a paratus embodying my invention, and w' then point outthe' novel features thereof in claims. In the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 is a Q plan view of one form of apparatus con- 15 tional view takeii on line so stylus. Fig. 5 is a view, partly diagrammatic,

structed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1. F' .3 is a vertical sec- I- III of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentaia vertical sectional view taken on line IV-I of Fig. 1 and showing more in detail ,a contact device which controls the operation of a detector showing another form of apparatus which 111%.2185 the apparatus shown n Figs. 1, 2, 3 an Similar reference characters refer to simas ilar parts in each of the several views.

Referring to the drawings, an apparatus I I constructed in'accordance with my invention is shown as comprising a housing- 1 having a base 2, side walls 3 and a top 4, one edge of an which overhangs one of the side walls and constitutes a su record strip 5. is strip is.wound upon a i as reel 6 which is mounted for free rotation upon a bracket 7, carried by the top 4}'and extends downwardly and thence upwardly through an opening 8 formed in the top 4,.thence over the top and downwardly through another opening 9 formed therein, and'thence beneath a drum 10. The drum 10 is fixed to the outer end of a main drive shaft 11, which is journalled in brackets 12 (Fig. 3) located within housin 1 and is rotated at a predetermined y a constant speed electric motor M medium of a suitable reduction gearing 13. j

' During the operation of the apparatus, the record strip 5 is-niaintainedin gagement with the drum 10 by a pinch-roller a lever 16.

rt or platen for a movable located within the housing through the 'ctional en- 14 (Fig. 2), which is mounted on an arm 15' ed intermediate its ends on the side of thearm 18 of the lever 16 as at 21, and is provided with a air of, superimposed notches or stepped s oulders 22 and 2 3,- for engagement with a lug 24 fixed'to the side wall of the housin 1. 'The lever 16 is urged about its pivot 1 in a counter-clockwise direction to maintain the pinch roller 14 in an ineffective .position when thecapparatus is not in use, and the latch lever 20 is urged about its pivot 21 to maintain one or the other of the notches 22 and 23 in engagement with the lug 24 by means of a coiled sprin 25. The lower end of this spring is secure to an arm 26 of the the arm 18 0' the lever 16 for engagement by the other arm 29 of the latch lever 20 in order to limit the pivotal movement of this leveragainst the action of the spring 25.

\Vhen the arm 18 of the lever 16 is depressed in order to carry the pinch roller 14 into engagement with the strip 5 toefiect driving contact between the strip and the drum 10, the upper notch 22 in the atch lever 20 engages the lug 24 under the action of the spring 25 and maintains the lever 16 and roller 14 in the position to which they are moved. When,.however, the latch lever 20 is. swung in l a counter-clockwise direction ,in order to release the hotch 22 from engagement with the lug 24, in moving the inch roller 14 to an ineffective position, the ower notch 23 engages .the lug 24 and limits the upward" movement of the lever 16 under the action of the spring 25 beyond a point where driving contact between the drum and strip is interrupted. 7

A s ring contact30 is also mounted on the side 0 the arm 18 of the lever 16 for en e ment with a fixed contact 31 mounted on t e side wall of the housing 1 when the lever is adapted to uncture, cut or otherwise deform the strip.

actuated to move the pinch roller 14 into operative engagement with the strip 5. The

contacts and 31 are provided with terminal posts 32 and 33, respectively for connec: tion in a circuit hereinafter to be described in connection with the operation of the apparatus.

Cooperating with the strip 5 is a recording stylus 34 which may be of any preferred type such as a pen or pencilor, an-instrument the winding of the second electromagnet B is connected with binding posts 41 and 42,

also carried by the terminal board 40. The

electromagnets A and Bare adapted be alternately energized, as will be described presently, and the parts are so arranged that when these electromagnets become thus energized, the stylus 34 will be moved in a directlon transverse to that of the movement of the strip 5 accordin to which of the electromagnets is energize The lateral movement of the stylus 34 may be regulated by ad1ustment screws 43, which are threadedinto posts 44 carried by the top 4 on opposite sides of the armature for engagement thereby.

When the circuit for one of the electromagnets is closed, the stylus 34 will move 1n one direction and record this fact by suitable indicia roduced on the strip 5 and when the circuit or the other electromagnet is closed,v

the stylus will move in an opposite direction and record this fact upon the record strip. ,Thus, if the strip is moving ata predetermined rate of speed, the time elaps ng between the closing of'these two circuits may be determined from the distance between the recorded movements of the stylus on the sir-i5 5. A

' so cooperating with the str1p 5 1s a detector stylus 45 of any preferredctype. This stylus is carried by an armature 46 which is pivotally mounted as at 47 (Fig. .1 on a racket 48 carried by the top 4. A sprlng 49 is ,secured to the end of the armature 46' for engagement with one of the posts 50 carried by the, top 4 and tends to yieldably hold the armature 46 in engagement with one of a pair of adjusting screws 51 which are'threaded into the posts 50. The-armature 46 1s swung about its pivot 47 against the action of the spring 49 in order to move the stylus =45 transversely of. the strip 5 by a third electromagnet G, which is supported by the bracket 48. The winding of this electromagnet is connected with terminal posts 52 and 53 which are carried by a terminal board 54 also supported by the bracket 48. n

The energization of the third electromagnet C is controlled in part by a make and break contact device D shown in detail in lever 55. The other arm 65 of the lever 55 extends downwardly and carries a roller 66 for engagement with a cam 67 fixed to the main drive shaft 11. The periphery of the u cam 67 is formed with a plurality of equi -distant spaced cam lobes 68 which successively engage the roller 66 and cause the spring finger 63 to periodically move into engagement. with the contact 62. This causes the electromagnet C to be periodically energized and deenergized in timed relation with the rotation of the main drive shaft 11 and drum 10, and causes the detector stylus 45 to oscillate and record its movements on the strip 5. If there is no sli page between the stri 5 and the drum 10, t e detector stylus 45 wil record a series of uniformly spaced indications thereon and the indicia recorded b the recording stylus 34 may then be relie upon as accurate, but if certain of the indicia recorded by the detector stylus 45 are not uniformly spaced, this fact will indicate that the strip 5 has slipped relative to the drum 10 and that the indicia recorded by the recording stylus 34v are incorrect.

As an example of one application of my invention for measuring time intervals and for determining whether or not such measurements are correct, I will assume that the apparatus shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4, is

connected in a circuit such as that shown in Fig. 5 and that it is desired to ascertain the time required for a car moving over a track T to cover the distance between the points indicated by the'broken lines X and Y in Fig.

passing from terminal a of a source of elec-- 1 tric energy, through back contact 71 .of

post 39, to terminal b of the same source of current. This causes the recording stylus 34 to assume the left-hand position shown in fwill next assume that an operator closes an electric circuit, not shown in the drawings, causing the motor M-to rotate the drum 10 in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 2, but inasmuch as the pinch roller 14 occupies its ineffective position at this time, no motion is transmitted to the recording strip 5. The motor also now rotates cam 67 which causes contact 62-63 of device D to' alternatel close and open.

I will urther assume that an eastbound car is proceeding over the track T in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 5. The 0 erator therefore depresses the lever 16' until the pinch roller 14 forces the strip 5 into frictional en agement with the rotating quently, the electromagnet G will be correlishes a circuit passing drum 10'at whic point the up r notch 22 engages'the lugs24 and maintains the lev 16 in this position. The downward mov ment' of the lever 16 also closes the contact 3031 which establishes a circuit passing from terminal a, through terminal post 32, contact 30-31, terminal posts 33 and 58, contact 6263 of the make and break contact device D, terminal posts 61 and 52, winding of the third electromagnet C and terminal post 53 to terminal 6. As has been previously stated, the rotation of the cam 67 causes the contact 6263 to close and open in timed relation with theoperation of the motor M and the drum 10 driven thereby, and consespondingly energized and deenergized. This causes the detector stylus 45 to oscillate I and to pr uce indicia. on the now moving record strip 5 at regular spaced intervals 'as indicated b the lines 72 in Fig. 5. During this time t e recording stylus 34 has been roducingavstraight lme on the strip 5 as indicated at 73 in ig. 5.

As soon, however, as the car reaches the point X it closes the contact device 69, thereenergizin the first control relay E by v rtue of a pick-up circuit passing from terminal a, throu h contact device 69 and winding of relay to terminal 6. This opens back contact 71 of relay E and'thecircuit .previously traced through this contact which maintains the first electromagnet A energized. The energization of relay -E also closes front contact 71 of this relay and estabfrom terminal a, through front contact of rela E, back. contact 74 of s econd control relay ,terminal 0st 41, windin of the second electromagnet ,and termina post 42 to terminal b. The

a second electromagnet -B is thus energized and moyesthe recording stylus 34-to the right, as viewed Fig. 5,; thereby producing a l transverse mark a: on the record strip 5 indicative of the closing of the contact device 69. The energization of the first control rela E also closes front contact 75 of this relay wliich establishes a stick circuit for relay E passing from terminal a, through termlnal post 32, contact 30-31, terminal post 33, front I contact of relay E, and winding of this relay to terminal I). This stick circuit maintains the relay E energized which, by its front contact 71, maintains the ener ing circuit for the second electromagnet closed after the car has passed the point X and has permitted the contactdevice 69-to open.

As soon as the carreaches the oint Y it closes the contact device 70, there y causing the energization of the second control relay F by virtue of a pick-up circuit passing from terminal a, through contact device 70 and winding -'of relay F to terminal I). The energization of control relay F opens its back contact 74, thereby interrupting the circuit previously traced through this contact which maintains the second electromagnet B- energized, and then closes a front contact 74 of this relay. The closing of front contact 74 causes the reenergization of the first electromagnet A by virtue of a circuit passing from teminal a, through front contact 71 of first control relay E, front contact 74 of second control relay F, terminal post 38, winding of electromagnet A, and terminal post 39 to terminal b. The energization of secondcontrol relay F also closes a front contact 76 of this rela which establishes a stick circuit for relay passing from terminal a, through terminal post 32, contact 3031, terminal post of this relay to terminal I). This stick circuit maintains the relay F energized which by its .33, front contact 76 of relay F, and'winding front contact 7 4, holds the circuit previously traced for the electromagnet A through front contact 74 intact after the car has passed point Y and allowed the contact device 7 0 to open.

The reenergization of the first electromagnet A, as above described, causes the recording stylus 34 to shift to the left, as viewed in Fig. 5, and make a transverse mark y on the record strip 5 indicative of the fact that the car has reached point Y and closed the contact device 70. Now, inasmuch as the speed of the record strip 5 is lmown, the time required for the car to travel from the point X to the point Y can be determined readily from the measured distance between the marks a: and y recorded on the strip 5. Also,

inasmuch as the operation of the detector stylus 45 is uniform, any irregularities in the spacing of the marks 72 made by this stylus on the strip 5 are indicative of the fact that the strip 5 has slipped on the drum 10 and that the distance :v-y recorded by the stylus 34 is not a correct record. In such event the test is repeated until the detector stylus 45 poduces a series of uniformly spaced ma on the strip 5. When a record is thus obtained, it maybe relied upon as being accurate to within a relatively small 'fract1on of a second.

L At the conclusion of'the test, the operator releases the latch lever from engagement with the lug 24, thereby permitting the lever 16 to swin about its pivot 17 in a counter 10 clockwise irectionf under the action of the spring 25. This movement of the lever 16 not only swin the pinch roller 14 tom in- GHQCtiVQgQQFTtlOH, thereby discontinuing the 'moveme" Lt of the record strip 5, but also opens the contact 31, thereby not only interrulptin' 'the stick circuits for the control re ays and F, but also opening the energizing circuit for the electromagnet C previously traced through this contact, thus restoring the apparatus to its initial condition. My invention, herein shown and described,

comprises very simple and eflicient ap aratus for recording means for determimn the duration of a time interval. Errors no to sli page between the record strip. 5 and its driving means, or due to any other cause, may be readilydetected and corrected. lthough. I have herein shown and described only one form of a paratus embody- 80 ing my invention, itis un erstood that various changes and modifications may be made therein within the scope of the appended claims without departing from'the spirit and 500 of my invention.

aving thus described my invention, what Iclaim is: v I 1'. In apparatus for measuring a time interval comprising a movable record receiving element, driving means operating at a predetermined speed for iriction'all moving said element, and adevice for p ucing distinctive indicia upon said element indicating the beginning an end of said interval, whereby the'distance between saiddistinctive indicia is a measure 'of,the length of said interval; the combination with the aforementioned instrumentalities, of a second device for pro- I ducing distinctive indicia upon said element, and means actuated by said driving means for controlling the operation of said second -device, whereb the indicia recorded on said element by sai second device indicate equal measured units of movement of said driving means and therelation of,such movement to the movement of said element.

2. In apparatus for measuring a time inf I .ter'val comprising a mqvable record receiving element, drivin means operating at a predetermined s for fractionally moving .Q'said element, and -'a device for producing distinctive indicia upon said element indicating the be nning and end of said interval, whereby the distance betweensaid distinctive f indiciais a measure of the length ofsaid incomprising a movable reco 1,sa1,4aa

tioned instrumentalities, of a stylus for producing distinctive indicia upon said element, an electromagnet for operatin said stylus, and means actuated by said riving means for controllin the energization of said electroma 'et, w ereby the indicia recorded on said e ement by -said stylus indicate equal measured units of movement of said driving means and the relation of such movement to the movement of said element.

3. In apparatus for measuring a time interval comprisinga movable recordreceiving element, driving means operatipfi at a predetermined speed for friction moving said element, and a device for p uc' distinctive; indicia upon said element in 'cating thebegi and end of said interval, whereby thedistancebetween said distinctive indicia is a measure of the length of said interval; the combination with the aforementioned instrumentalities, of a stylus for producing distinctive indicia u 11 said element, an electromagnet for operating said stylus, a contact device for controlling the energization of said electromagnet and a cam actuated by said driving means for periodically operating said contact device, whereby the indicia recorded on' said element b said stylus indicate equal measured units 0 move-.

ment of said driving means andthe relation of such movement to the movement of said element.

4. Apparatus for measurin atime interval receivin element, driving means for moving sai element, a first electromagnetiemeans operatin when energized to make a distinctive recor on-said element a second electromagnetic means operating when energized to make a different distinctive record on said element, a first controlrelay for causing the energization of said first electromagnetic means, a

second control rela for causing the energization of said secon electromagnetic means, a

manually controlled device, a pick-up circuit for said first control relay arranged to be closed at the beginning of said time interval, means controlled by said device for subsequently holdin said-first control relay in its energized con ition, a pick-up circuit for said second control relay arranged to be closed at the termination of such interval, and means controlled by said device for subsequently holding said second control relay, in its energized condition.

' 5. Apparatus for measuring a time interval comprising a movable record receiving element, driving means for moving said element, a first electromagnetic means 0 rating when energized to make a distinctive record on said element, a second electrom etic means operating when energized to ma e a difierent distinctive record on said element, a first control relay for causing the energization of said terval; the combination. with the aforemenfirst electromagnetic means, a second control 0 relay for causing the energization of said'secnd electromagnetic means, a manually controlled contact device, a pick-up circuit for I said first control relay arranged to be closed at the beginning of said time interval, a stick circuit controlled by said contact device for subsequently holding said. first control relay in its energized condition, a pick-up circuit for said second control relay arranged to be first relay is energized andthe second relay is closed at the termination of such interval,

and a stick circuit controlled by said contact device for subsequently holding said sec- 0nd control relay in its energized condition.

6. Apparatus for measuring the time interval between two events comprising, two normally de-energized relays, means for energizing the first relay upon the occurrence of the first event, means for energizing the second relay upon the occurrence of the second 'event, two magnets A and B, a circuit for magnet A including a back contact of said first relay, a circuit for magnet B including a front contact of the first relay and a back contact of the second relay, an auxiliary circuit for magnet A including front contacts of both relays. and recording mechanism controlled by said magnets. v

7 Apparatus for measuring the time interval between two events comprising, two normally de-energized'relays, means forgenergizing the first relay upon the occurrence of the first event, means for energizing thesec'ond relay upon the occurrence of the second event, twomagnets A and B, means for energizing magnet A while the first relay is de-energized, means for energizing magnet B while the de-energized, auxiliary means for energizing magnet A whenboth relaysare energized, and

recording mechanism controlled by said magnets. s

In testimony whereof I afiix my si nature.

JOHN WARNER LIVINGSTON) 

